Heterorhachis aculeata ray florets nearly opening

Caught just before spreading, the ray florets of the Heterorhachis aculeata flowerhead are already yellow but still closed, not yet spreading around its disc.

Bashfully folded in the ceremonial modesty associated with imminent maturity, not much remains hidden when young flowers anticipate the sun (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).